MEN OF THE PERIOD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 75, 30 March 1871, Page 4

MEN OF THE PERIOD.

Mr. Wakefield, in his recent letter to Mr. Stafford, thus sketches the members of the present Ministry : — Mr. Fox is nominally the " Premier." He is, however, no more the leader and chief of his Excellency's responsible advisers than you or I. He seems to have no administrative function?, and to exercise no appreciable influence on the character and action of the Ministry. He appears to me to have tamely consented to be put aside by Mr. Vogcl, who has tacitly usurped and exercised, both in and out of Parliament, all the functions usually attached to the position of Premier, except, the supreme control of the Native Department. On all questions connected with the natives, and the cognate one of defence from their aggression, Mr. M'Lran has apparently been allowed carte blanche. I appreciate, with you, that, gentleman's industry and zeal ; I know him to be thoroughly well acquainted with the language, customs, and disposition of the natives. I believe him to be in earnest in endeavouring to secure pence. But I consider the temporising and pampering policy under which he works, no less than the secret and intriguing manner of its administration by himself aud his subordinates, to be not only totally- ineffective as regards the object in view, but eyeii positively mischievous, as encouragjpg" the natives in insolent and unjustifiable demeanour and action, and as helping them to maintain that aspect by Jjitf s applies of warlike and other material", which filter through the hands of the so-called "friendly" natives into the hands of those who assume an unfriendly attitude. Mr. Sewell, for whose especial accommodation the office of "Minister of Justice" appeals to have been created, is not heard of as the author of any reform, although reform is much needed, in the system or administration of matters one would suppose such an office to relate to. He seems to act as lieutenant for any head of a Department whom that or any oilier Minister's special business takes away from head-quarters. Mr. Gisborne, promoted to be a Cabinet Minister, continues to perform the functions of a permanent Under- Secretary, or administrative head clerk of a department, or rather of any department when the nominal chief of it is travelling. No one would ever suspect him of inventing, perfecting, and expounding anything but the most common-place details of administration. His well-known courtesy and amenity of demeanour are useful to his colleagues as smoothing the rough edge off grievances and discontent. Mr. Dillon Bell has returned from the mission to England in which Dr. Featherstone told the Provincial Council of Wellington, on the 2nd inst., that they had rendered such valuable services to New Zealand. There seems to be nothing particular for him to do, but to agree with his colleagues for the time being, and eat whatever official bread-and-butter may be awarded to him by them for so doing. Of this grateful provender, Dr. Featherstone has secured the lion's share for the present. If you have read my letter in the Press here on the 9th instant, you will perceive that I consider him specially unfit to discharge the duties of the office of, Agent-General for New Zealand, so as to do equal justice to the interests of its different portions. lam convinced that he will not only give way to, but cherish predilections in favor of his own Provincial partisans at Wellington, and prejudices against the rest of the Colony and its people, especially against the interests aid merits of the Middle Island as a whole. I feel very strongly, too, that the Ministry shows an insolent contempt for the possible opinions of the newly-elected Parliament, by appointing any gentleman Agent-General and dispatching him to England, within a few weeks before the period when it may be expected to meet, and when it might have been consulted with respect to the appointment. I think that, as you said to the Timaru electors about Mr. Yogel, " really he is the Government." I agree with your subsequently expressed opinions that "'certainly he was the Government last session," and that " the paramount manner in which he dominated his colleagues, and the absence of any organised Opposition, somewhat turned his head." I hope that your impression, that his '• position then culminated," may turn out correct.